19 May 2015
On April 23, 2015, nionex GmbH merged with the Bertelsmann corporate partner arvato Systems S4M GmbH. In the future, the two companies will have a joint market presence as arvato Systems and offer their customers seamlessly integrated digital communications services, from conception to international roll-out.
The two Bertelsmann companies nionex and arvato Systems have been working closely together on a variety of projects since the end of last year. Customers are offered consolidated efficient solutions for digitization and support from experts for digital transformation. As a logical next step of this successful cooperation, the arvato Systems group subsidiary arvato Systems S4M GmbH was merged with nionex GmbH.
“This will formalize our proven cooperation and position our organization on a solid foundation. At the same time we are strengthening our integrated brand image,“ adds Ralf Schürmann, CEO of arvato Systems S4M GmbH. “The extensive professional partnership will develop into a joint company in which we will further combine our industry expertise for improved response to the needs of our customers.”
Both the established contact persons as well as the company locations will remain unchanged. The resulting opportunity to also use arvato Systems locations such as Hamburg, Munich or Cologne will enable even closer customer relations on a local level. (Source: arvato Systems press release)
www.arvato-systems.com
19 May 2015
Current Time, a TV news program for Russian-speaking audiences in countries bordering Russia, launched its new weekend edition with shows affording viewers a fresh alternative to Russian-controlled TV.
Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) share the mic on Current Time’s daily show Monday through Friday, and now will serve up weekend programs, with VOA hosting Current Time Week In Review (Настоящее время. Итоги) on Saturdays and RFE/RL taking charge of the Sunday program, Current Time This Week (Настоящее время. Неделя).
“We are expanding our efforts to bring independent, factual and compelling reporting to audiences that have little alternative to official Russian media,” said Nenad Pejic, RFE/RL Editor-in-Chief.
“The balanced and responsible discussion on Current Time is in marked contrast to the Kremlin’s aggressive media empire that denies an outlet for opposition alternatives and public debate,” added VOA Director David Ensor.
“For Moscow it is very important now to keep the victorious posture,” Dmitry Oreshkin told VOA’s Yulia Savchenko, host of the Saturday edition of Current Time. Oreshkin heads an independent Moscow-based political research group. “The Russian propaganda narrative is that America got scared of us,” he said. Other highlights from the inaugural Saturday program included coverage of the Kerry-Lavrov talks in Sochi, the issue of Ukraine’s future in NATO, and the latest diplomatic moves between Russia and China.
The first Sunday program, anchored by RFE/RL’s Sergey Dorofeyev, looked at Boris Nemtsov’s posthumously published report on Russian military involvement in Ukraine, the tenth anniversary of the Andijon massacre in Uzbekistan, and the trial of Nadya Savchenko in Moscow. The program included an exclusive interview with the Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Valentin Fedichev of Ukraine’s Anti-Terrorist Operation, who noted that, “Ukraine is facing well-organized Russian military aggression in the East.”
“With Current Time, our networks are offering audiences professional, independent journalism that they cannot get elsewhere. This includes reporting from the front lines, but also regional and global issues that receive little coverage on official channels,” said BBG Interim CEO and Director André Mendes.
Current Time is carried by more than 10 public and private affiliate channels in Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, and Ukraine, and is available to Russian speakers everywhere on digital platforms, including social media. Drawing on a network of reporters in the region, across Russia, and in European capitals and the U.S., it presents a daily, 30-minute mix of live news coverage, interviews, original features, and political satire. The show is one part of the U.S. government’s efforts to respond to Russian propaganda in the region. (Source: BBG press release)
18 May 2015
Newstag’s relationship with UN agency will provide unique opportunity for real impact on the world
Joining over a dozen global charities, NGOs and non-profit organisations, The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) – the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide – has signed up with Newstag. The multi-level agreement allows the initiative to fundraise through the Stockholm-based video news service.
Newstag’s pioneering and innovative approach to the distribution and consumption of news brings together video news stories from professional content producers around the world, including AP, AFP and Reuters, as well as top brands. By radically rebalancing the traditional relationships between industry stakeholders, Newstag aims to make journalism sustainable through a proper funding stream.
The ‘mobile-first’ service enables users to create their own ‘tagstream’ (or personalised TV channel) in seconds, organising, consuming and sharing the stories that they care about among their social networks using the latest web and mobile technologies. The wide variety of stories from trusted sources ranges from entertainment to current affairs.
These stories are available from a number of different perspectives, putting users at the heart of the experience and in complete control. The result is a platform that allows converging viewpoints to be presented side by side, creating contrasting frames of reference.
Alongside this, Newstag is not just about understanding the world, it also offers users a unique opportunity to make a difference. Consumers can take action by supporting causes and research they think are important. A part of Newstag’s revenues are available for users to allocate to charitable, NGO and NPO partners, such as WFP. The more they watch and share, the higher their impact.
Charities, NGOs and agencies joining this new media model will also be able to provide video news content to users on international initiatives, using the platform both to fundraise and communicate.
WFP Head of Television Communications, Jonathan Dumont says: “The United Nations World Food Programme has an obligation to inform the public about what we are doing to help make this world a Zero Hunger world. As the UN’s frontline emergency relief organisation we have an inherent relationship with news organisations by providing content and information that helps them tell the humanitarian side of the story. Working with outlets like Newstag takes the relationship one step further by providing an opportunity for information providers and consumers to give back. That can make a world of difference to those who need help the most.”
Newstag Chairman and Founder, Camilla Dahlin-Andersson, added: “This link with The United Nations World Food Programme goes to the heart of Newstag’s new media model – creating value while enabling charities, NGOs and international agencies to tell their story. This multi-faceted relationship will transform the role of users by providing them with a unique opportunity to have real impact on the world around them.”
Newstag has rapidly expanded its network of commercial and content partners in recent months as it gears up to launch its application. Newstag recently opened a Cairo bureau and received a $1.3m investment from a group of private and institutional investors.
Newstag, currently in beta stage, is continuously bringing new users onboard. To sign up, visit www.newstag.com.
18 May 2015
Egyptian security officials have demanded that DW partner broadcaster ONTV stop showing “Women at a Turning Point.” The interview format, hosted by Egyptian journalist Reem Maged, is produced by DW and ONTV in Cairo.
Deutsche Welle has broadcast the show weekly since May 2 as part of its Arabic TV programming. DW condemns the Egyptian officials’ intervention as a massive affront to press freedom and free expression. Germany’s foreign broadcaster has pledged its support to ONTV in the latter’s efforts to continue to produce and broadcast the show for an Arab audience. On Saturday, May 16, DW proceeded to present the third episode online and on TV. ONTV says it is exhausting all avenues to continue producing the show and possibly distribute it on other platforms.
In the series “Women at a Turning Point,” courageous women take a stance on social and political issues. Reem Maged is one of the most influential voices and popular presenters in Egypt. “Economic, social and cultural topics must also finally be taken up and discussed widely,” she said at the beginning of May, marking the first broadcast of the German-Egyptian coproduction.
“The show is culturally valuable and important for our Arab audience. Women can learn many things first-hand about significant personalities and their projects,” explains Naser Schruf, head of DW’s Arabic program. “DW is promoting socially critical discourse, emphasizing dialogue and the presentation of cultural diversity along the way,” Schruf adds.
In the first edition of “Women at a Turning Point,” Egypt’s cultural heritage was in focus through a conversation with researcher Shahira Mihrez. The second episode featured the renowned Egyptian photographer Iman Hilal as Reem Maged’s interview partner. The topics discussed included her pictures of the Egyptian revolution.
Reem Maged has already hosted a political talk show for Egyptian broadcaster ONTV in the past. The new series stems from a partnership between DW and ONTV that has been in place for four years. As part of this collaboration, Reem Maged will be a guest from June 22 to 24 at Deutsche Welle’s Global Media Forum in Bonn.
18 May 2015
The 25 April 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal and subsequent aftershocks have disrupted last mile communications to communities with millions of people needing medical and other relief support. Intelsat (NYSE: I) has donated its satellite services to two organizations making a difference in the region: the American Red Cross working in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Team Rubicon. These organizations are deploying satellite-based broadband networks to support critical medical and logistical operations in the region.
The Red Cross network is utilizing capacity on Intelsat 906 located at 64° E, linking via the IntelsatOne® terrestrial network at Intelsat’s Fuchsstadt, Germany Teleport to support internet and Voice over Internet Phone (VoIP) service to remote hospitals in Nepal, providing field aid workers with connectivity that improves safety, morale and peace of mind in the wake of the disaster.
“With the connectivity provided by Intelsat, the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network is better able to deliver relief to tens of thousands of people dealing with the effects of the earthquake that killed thousands and injured many more in Nepal,” said David Meltzer, General Counsel and Chief International Officer at the American Red Cross. “Communications are key to the global relief effort underway and being able to provide voice and data connectivity between Nepal and the rest of the world is a critical tool in our disaster relief work.”
Separately, Intelsat is also supporting a network established by Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to deploy emergency response teams, to further aid in their relief efforts. Team Rubicon brought medical supplies and sent several teams to aid the Nepalese people.
“When a natural disaster occurs, broadband connectivity is an essential component to ensuring that relief organizations are able to identify and prioritize the needed services and resources as they deliver aid to those impacted by the tragic event,” said Kurt Riegelman, Intelsat Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Given the nature of satellite technology and our global fleet, we are able to deliver the rapid response and deployment of critical communications necessary to support organizations as they provide needed assistance to those impacted. Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and the men and women from all over the world who are coming to their aid.”
